Wheel anx  axle structure



July 27, 1937. H. w. SANFORD 20,457

\ WHEEL AND AXLE STRUCTURE 7 Original Filed Nov. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheetl IN VEN TOR.

BY ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. H. w. SANFORD 20,457

WHEEL AND AXLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY I July 27,. 1937. w. SANFORD Re. 20,457

Jilly 27, 1937. I w SANFORD Re. 20,457

AND AXLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V ENTOR.

Y Aim ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. w SANFORD Re. 20,457

. WHEEL AND AXLE STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 25, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEY Reissued July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE Serial No.498,172, November 25, 1930.

plication for reissue January 11, 1934, Serial 28 Claims.

This invention relates to such wheel and axle structures as are embodiedin mine cars and similar cars.

The object of the invention is to produce a structure wherein the .partsare so arranged that the mine mechanic will not need to use judgment inorder to get the finest adjustment of parts, namely, the play betweenthe balls and the races this being then the play of the wheel endwise onthe axle. In other words, the object is to so organize the structurethat the mine mechanic need only draw the binding bolts as tight as hecan draw themwhereupon the interior adjustments of play'are accuratelyarranged.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinaLupright section along the axial line of thestructure approximately on the line I-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is an upright transverse section on the line, 2-2, of Fig. 1,looking toward the left;

Fig. 3 is an upright transverse section on the line, 3--3, of Fig. 1,looking toward the right;

Fig. 4 is an upright transverse section on the line, 44, of Fig. 1,looking toward the right;

Fig. 5 is an upright transverse section on the line, 5-5, of Fig. 1,looking toward the right;

Fig. 6 is an upright transverse section on the line, 66, of Fig. 1looking toward the right;

Fig. 7 is an upright transverse section on the line, 1-1, of Fig. 1,looking toward the right;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line, 8-8, of Fig. 1, lookingdownward.

Referring to said drawings, A is the body of the axle. Al is thejournal. A2 is an annular collar integral with the axle between thebody, A, and the journal. The outer, or right-hand end of the journal isthreaded to receive a ring-form nut, A3. The wheelB, having a'hub, BI,and an end wall, B2, surroundsthe' journal. In the form shown infthedrawings, the wheel, has six spokes, B3. 'I'he alternate spokes havehorizontal openings,,B4, extendingthrough the spokes approximatelyparallel to the journal, Al.

At the inner end ofthe hub (the end toward F the body, A,of the axle) aring-form end plate,

B6,surrounds the collar, A2,.rotatably. On the collar, A2, are grooves,A4, adapted to receive packing to prevent'passage of lubrication from.the interior of the hub and to prevent the passage of dirt from theexterior of the hub. Through, each spoke opening, B4, thereis inserted abinding bolt, B1,- the head of the bolt being at the outer or righthand'face of the spoke and the opposite end. of the bolt being threadedinto the ring-form end plate, B5. A locking plate, B8,

surrounds the bolt between the adjacent face of the spoke and the headof the bolt and bears downward on the adjacent face of the hub toprevent turning of said plate on the bolt. When the bolt has beensufiiciently turned to adjust the ring-form plate, B5, a suitable partof the plate,

B8, is to be bent over one of the faces of the bolt head. The drawingsshow the outer part (the part the farther from the hub) so bent.

In the form of the structure illustrated by these drawings, the functionof these binding bolts is to draw the ring form end plate B6, toward,but not against, the inner or adjacent end of the hub. The function ofsaid bolts is to draw the end plate against an adjacent ball race, aswill be described further on.

Parallel to and spaced from the nut, A3, a circumferential channel, A5,is formed in the journal Al, to receive the two halves of a split ring,A6.

A hub bushing, C, surrounds and is spaced from said split ring andextends toward the end plate, B6. Opposite each half of the split ring,A6, a part of the bushing is bent downward to form a tongue, CI,directed toward the split ring to hold the two parts of the ring in thechannel, A5, of the'journal.

Between the nut, A3, and the split ring, A6, a ball race, C2, surroundsthe journal and bears against said nut and said split ring. Foradjustment, the nut is driven against. the ball race, whereby the ballrace is pressed against the split ring and the latter is pressed againstthe inner wall of the channel, A5. Thus the split ring forms an abutmentfor that ball race. On the nut, A3, are circumferential notches, A'I,any one of which may receive one end of'a locking member, A8, the otherend of said-member being held between the journal and the ball race, 02.When the nut, A3, is to be turned, the outer end of the locking member,A8, is to be bent upward out of the adjacent notch, Al.

Concentric to the ball race, C2, is a companion ball race, C3. Betweenthose ball races are balls, C4. The ball race, C3, rests against ashoulder, A9, formed on the interior of the hub. The outer end of thehub bushing, C, normally bears against the ball race, C3, and pressessaid race against the hub shoulder, A9.

Near the axle collar, A2, the ball race, C5, surrounds the journal, Al.Concentric to and surrounding that race is a ball race, C6. Betweenthose two races are balls, C1. The race, C5, bears against the adjacentend of the hub bushing, C, and the adjacent face of the ring-form endrace, the end plate making contact with that race and not with theadjacent end of the hub, space being left between said end plate and theend of the hub, as shown by the drawings. The binding bolts, B1, are tobe set to forcibly maintain engagement of the end plate with the ballrace, C6, whereby maintained binding engagement is made between the endplate and said ball race and the bushing and the ball race, C3, and thehub shoulder, A9. Thus the ball race, C6, and the ball race, C3, arelocked. I have already noted that the ball race, C2, is held immovablybetween the nut, A3, and the split ring, A5. The ball race, C5, is notheld against movement parallel to the length of the journal. That ballrace is floating.

While the ring-form end plate, B6, performs a part in binding the ballraces, C6 and C3, that end plate also serves as a closure for the end ofthe hub.

In addition to the function performed relative to the ball race, 02, thenut, A3, forms an abutment for holding the hub against outward movementon the axle; and in addition to its function relative to the ball race,C2, the split ring, A6, forms an abutment for holding the hub againstinward movement on the axle, whereby the hub end wall is held away fromthe end of the axle, the ball races, C2 and C3, and the balls, C4,making needed engagement with the hub and the nut and the split ring.This additional functioning is to be noted in connection with theclaims.

In the form shown in the drawings, the lubricant is to be introducedthrough the port, B9, formed in the end wall, B2, of the hub, B, andnormally closed by a screw plug, BIB, of any desired form.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention provides for awheel hub of maximum simplicity, cast as a unit and requiring a minimumamount of machine work without need of precise accuracy of machine work.It will also b ob.- served that provision is made for retaining greasein the lower part of the hub to a height halfway between the journal,Al, and the bottom of the hub, the leakage, in the limited desired quatity being between the lower part of the an, nular collar, A2, and theadjacent. part of the ring-form plate, B5.

While this invention has been mentioned as applicable to wheel and axlestructures such as are embodied in mine cars and similar cars, it is tobe understood that the invention may be embodied in wheel and axlestructures to be used otherwise than in such cars.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interior and adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadiustably secured on the outer end of the axle and directed toward theinner end of the hub,

a pair of ball races surrounding the axle, the inner of said ball racesbearing against the axle abutment and the outer of said races bearingagainst the hub abutment, balls between said races, a second pair ofball races surrounding the axle within and adjacent the inner end of thehub, a hub bushing located between the two pairs of ball races andhaving one end bearing against the outer race of one pair and having itsother -plate, B6, bears against the other face of said ball end bearingagainst the outer'race of the other pair, means at the inner end of thehub for adjustably pressing against the outer race of the adjacent pairof races for pressing said race against the adjacent end of the hubbushing, the inner race of said second pair of ball races being freelyslidable lengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities in thebushing and outer races, and means accessible at the outer end of thehub for releasably locking the wheel to said pressing means.

2. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interior and adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadjustably secured on the outer end of the axle and directed toward theinner end of the hub, 21 pair of ball races surrounding the axle, theinner of said ball races bearing against the axle abutment and the outerof said races bearing against said hub abutment, balls between saidraces, at

second pair of ball races surrounding the axle within and adjacent theinner end of the hub, a hub bushing located between the two pairs ofball races and having one end bearing against the outer race of one pairand having its other end hearing against the outer race of the otherpair, a ring-form end plate at the inner end of the hub, and meansattached to the wheel and accessible from the outer end of the hub foradjustably pressing said plate against the outer race of the adjacentpair of races for pressing said race against the adjacent end of the hubbushing, the

inner race of said second pair of ball races being freely slidablelengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities in the bushingand outer races.

3. The combination with, an axle, of a wheel having a hub surroundingthe axle and having a. sealing wall extending across the end of the axleand the hub havingin its interior and adjacent .the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadjustably secured on the outer end of the axle and directed toward theinner end of the hub, 11. pair of ball races surrounding the axle, theinner of said ball races bearing against the axle abutment and the outerof said races bearing against said hub abutment, balls between saidraces, 9. second pair of ball races surrounding the axle within andadjacent the inner end of the hub, a hub bushing located between the twopairs of ball races and having one end bearing against the outer race ofone pair and having its other end bearing against the outer race of theother pair, a ring-form end plate at the inner end of the hub, andbolts'attached to the wheel and accessible from the outer end of the hubfor adjustably pressing said plate against the outer race of theadjacent pair of races for pressing said race aga nst the adjacent endof the hub bushing,

the inner race of said second pair of ball races being freely slidablelengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities, in the bushingand outer races.

4. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interior and adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadjustably secured on the outer end of the axle, an end platesurrounding the axle near the inner end of the hub, a hub bushing, apair of ball races the inner of said pair bearing against said axleabutment and the outer of said pair being in contact with said hubabutment and the adjacent end of the hub bushing, balls between saidraces, another pair of ball races surrounding the axle near the end ofthe hub and having its outer race between the hub bushing and said endplate and in contact with said members, means attached to the wheel andaccessible from the outer end of the hub for pressing said plate againstsaid outer race, the inner race of said second pair of ball races beingfreely slidable lengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularitiesin the bushing and outer races, and balls between said races.

5. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interiorand adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadiustably secured on the outer end of the axle, an end platesurrounding the axle near the inner end of the hub, a hub bushing, apair of ball races the inner of said pair bearing against said axleabutment and the outer of said pair being in contact with said hubabutment and the adjacent end of the hub bushing, balls between saidraces, another pair of ball races surrounding the axle and having itsouter race between the hub bushing and said end plate and in contactwith said members, bolts attached to the wheel and accessible from theouter end of the hub for drawing said plate against said outer race, theinner race of said second pair of ball races being freely slidablelengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities in the bushingand outer races, and balls between Said races.

6. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interior and adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadjustably secured to the outer endof the axle, an end plate surroundingthe axle near the inner end of the hub, a hub bushing, a pair of ballraces the inner of said pair bearing against said axle abutment and theouter of said pair being in contact with said hub abutment and theadjacent end of the hub bushing, balls between said races, and anotherpair of ball races surrounding the axle near the inner end of the huband having its outer race between the hub bushing and said end plate andinnonta ct with said members, bolts extending through the wheel andthreaded to said plate for drawing the plate against said outer race,the inner race of said second pair of ball races being freely slidablelengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities in the bushingand outer races.

'7. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surroundingthe axle and having a sealing wall extending across the end of the axleand the hub having in its interior and adjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, an abutment nutthreaded around the axle at its outer end, an end plate surrounding theaxle near the inner end oi the hub, a hub bushing, a pair of ball races,the inner of said pair bearing against said abutment nut and the outerof said pair being in contact with said hub abutment and the adjacentend of the hub bushing, balls between said races,

another pair of ball races surrounding the axle near the end of the huband having its outer race between the hub bushing and said end plate andin contact with said members, means attached to the wheel and accessiblefrom the outer end of the hub for pressing said plate against said outerrace, the inner race of said second pair of ball races being freelyslidable lengthwise of the axle to accommodate forirregularities in thebushing and outer races, and balls between said races.

8. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having a hub surrounding theaxle andjhaving a sealing wall extending across the end of the axle andthe hub having in its interior andQadjacent the end of the axle anabutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, abutment meansadjustably secured on the outer end of the axle, an end platesurrounding the axle near the inner end of the hub, a hub bushing, apair of ball races, the inner of said pair bearing against saidadjustable axle abutment means, a stationary axle abutment in contactwith the other side face of said inner race, balls between said races,another pair of ball races surrounding the axle near the end of the huband having its outer race between the hub bushing and said end plate andin contact with said members, means attached to the wheel and accessiblefrom the outer end of the hub for pressing said plate against said outerrace, the inner race of said second pair of ball races being freelyslidable lengthwise of the axle to accommodate for irregularities in thebushing and outer races, and balls between said races.

9. The combination with an axle having a circumferential channel nearits outer end, of a.

wheel having a hub surrounding the axle and having in its interior andadjacent the end of the axle an abutment directed toward the inner endof the hub, abutment means adjustably secured on the outer end of theaxle, a split ring seated in said axle channel, and a hub bushingpositioned to prevent movement of the parts of said split ring out ofsaid channel.

10. The combination with an axle, of a wheel having an integral hub andtread, said hub surrounding the axle, said hub having in its interior.an abutment directed toward the inner end of the hub, an inner pair ofball races, an outer pair of ball races surrounding the axle near itsouter end, abutment means fixed with respect to the outer end of theaxle to limit the outward movement of the inner race of the outer pairof races parallel to the axle, a separating bushing surrounding the axleand lying between said outer pair of ball races and said inner pair ofball races and the ends of said bushing being in abutting relation withone race of each of said pairs, an end sealing means at the inner end ofthe hub in adjustable abutting relation with the outer race of saidinner pair of races, the inner race of said inner pair of ball racesbeing freely slidable lengthwise of the axle to accommodate forirregularities in the bushing and outer races, and means for pressingsaid sealing means against said outer race of said inner pair of races.

11. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle race means for the anti-friction bearings, abutment meansadjustably and releasably secured at the outer end of the axle and inabutting relation with an outer end of the axle race means, concentricrestraining means encircling the axle at the inner end of the hub andreleasably secured to the wheel structure, hub race means for theantifriction bearings, an abutment within the wheel hub adjacent the endof the axle and directed toward the inner end of the wheel hub and inabutting relation with an outer end of the hub race means, screw shaftsfor adjustably pressing said concentric restraining means outwardlytoward the inner end of the hub race means whereby the inward movementof said hub race means relative to the hub is limited, said shafts beingreleasably and adjustably secured to the wheel structure at least inpart externally of said hub and extending outwardly from saidrestraining means toward the outer side of said wheel structure.

12. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend integral with said hub, at least two sets of anti-friction bearingsbetween the hub and axle, axle race means for the anti-frictionbearings, abutment means adjustably and releasably secured at the outerend of the axle and in abutting relation with an outer end of the axlerace means, concentric restraining means encircling the axle at theinner end of the hub and releasably secured to the wheel structure, hubrace means for the anti-friction bearings, an abutment within the wheelhub adjacent the end of the axle and directed toward the inner end ofthe wheel hub and in abutting relation with an outer end of the hub racemeans, screw shafts for adjustably pressing said concentric restrainingmeans outwardly toward the'inner end of the hub race means whereby theinward movement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited,said shafts being releasably and adjustably secured to the wheelstructure externally of said hub and extending outwardly from saidrestraining means toward the outer side of said wheel structure.

13. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least twosets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle race means for the anti-friction bearings, abutment meansadjustably and releasably secured at the outer end of the axle and inabutting relation with an outer end of the axle race means, concentricrestraining means encircling the axle at the inner end of the hub andreleasably secured to the wheel struc ture, hub race means for theanti-friction bearings, an abutment within the wheel hub adjacent theend of the axle and directed toward the inner end of the wheel hub andin abutting relation with an outer end of the hub race means, screwshafts for adjustably pressing said concentric restraining meansoutwardly toward the inner end of the hub race means whereby the inwardmovement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited, saidshafts being releasably and adjustably secured to the wheel structure atleast in part externally of said hub and extending outwardly from saidrestraining means toward the outer side of said wheel structure, wherebythe pressure of said restraining means prevents the rotation of the hubrace means within the hub.

14. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle race means for the anti-friction bearings, abutmentmeans'adjustably and releasably secured at the outer end of the axle andin abutting relation with an outer end of the'axle race means,concentric restraining means encircling the axle at the inner end.

of the hub and releasably secured to the wheel structure, hub race meansfor the anti-friction bearings, an abutment within the wheel hubadjacent the end of the axle and directed toward the inner end of thewheel hub-and in abutting relation with an outer end of the hub racemeans, screw shafts for adjustably pressing said concen tric restrainingmeans outwardly toward the inner end of the hub race means whereby theinward movement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited,said shafts being releasably and adjustably secured to the wheelstructure at least in part externally of said hub and extendingoutwardly from said restraining means toward the outer side of saidwheel structure, whereby the wheel hub may be entirely removed from theaxle and the anti-friction bearings by unthreading the screw shafts.

15. The combination with an axle, of a. wheel structure having integraltread and hub, said hub encircling the axle and having an uprightsealing wall at its outer end, at least two sets of anti-frictionbearings between the hub and axle, axle race means for the anti-frictionbearings, abutment means adjustably and releasably secured to the outerend of the axle and in abutting relation with an outer end of the axlerace means, concentric restraining means encircling the axle at theinner end of the hub and releasably secured to the wheel structure, hubrace means for the anti-friction bearings, only one of said race meansincluding a spacing portion separating the two sets of anti-frictionbearings and the other race means having separated race portions forfloating of one of said portions relative tothe other, an abutmentwithin the wheel hub adjacent the end of the axle and directed towardthe inner end of the wheel hub and in abutting relation with an outerend of the hub race means,

and means for adjustably pressing said concentric restraining meansoutwardly toward the inner end of the hub race means whereby the inwardmovement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited, saidpressing means being accessible from the outer end of the wheel hub andbeing releasably and adjustably secured to the wheel structure at leastin part externally of said hub. v

16. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle races for the antifn'ction bearings, an abutment shouldersecured to the axle adjacent the-inner end of the hub and adjacent theinner end of an axle race, abutment means adjustably and releasablysecured to the outer end of the axle and in abutting relation with anouter end of an axle race, concentric restraining means encircling theaxle at the inner end of the hub and releasably secured to the wheelstructure, hub race means for the anti-friction,

bearings, an abutment within the wheel hub adjacent the end of the axleand directed toward the inner end of the wheel hub and in abuttingrelation with the outer end of the hub race means, screw shafts foradjustably pressing said concentric restraining means outwardly towardthe inner end of the hub race means whereby the inward movement of saidhub race means relative to the hub is limited, said shafts beingreleasably and adjustably secured to the wheel structure at least inpart externally of said hub and extending outwardly from saidrestraining means toward the outer side of the wheel structure.

17. In combination with an axle having a rigidly secured shoulderabutment spaced from its end, of a wheel structure having an integralhub and tread, said hub extending over a portion of the axle, a sealingwall integral with the hub beyond the outer end of the axle, a pluralityof sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub and axle, restrainingwall means at the inner end of the hub encircling the axle and securedreleasably and adjustably to the wheel structure by securing meansextending longitudinally outwardly externally of the hub from saidrestraining means, axle abutment means within the hub releasably securedto the axle at the outer end thereof, hub abutment means inside the hubnear its outer end and facing inwardly, tubular means at least in partbetween the hub and the antifriction bearings and between therestraining wall means and the hub abutment means whereby thelongitudinal movement of said tubular means relative to the hub islimited, said tubular means including exterior races for theanti-friction bearlugs and axle races for the anti-friction bearingsdisposed with the innermost face of an axle race adjacent and spacedfrom the axle shoulder abutment and with the outermost face of an.- axlerace in abutting relation with the axle abutment means at the outer endof the axle, the axle race adjacent the shoulder abutment being freelyslidable toward the end of the axle to accommodate for irregularities inthe tubular means.

18. In a wheel and axle structure as described, the combination with anaxle having an abutment shoulder spaced from the outer end of the axle,and axle abutment means releasably se-, cured to the outer end of theaxle, of a wheel structure having. a hub, at least two sets of anti!friction bearings for the wheel structure having axle races so disposedthat inward movement of an axle race along the axle is limited. by theaxle abutment shoulder and outward movement of an axle race along theaxle is-limited by the axle abutment meansand one of said axle racesbeing free to slide toward the other, outer bushing and race means forholding the anti-friction bearings securely on the axle when mountedbetween the axle abutment shoulderand the axle abutment means, the wheelhub being loosely received over the bushing and race means and having asealing wall at its outer end, said hub having an abutment near itsouter end facing inwardly for limiting the inward movement of the wheelhub over the bushing and race means, a restraining wall at the inner endof the wheel hub encircling the axle and releasably and adjustablysecured to the wheel structure and in abutting relation with the-innerend of the bushing andrace' means for limiting the outward movementlotthe hub relative to' thebu'shing and race meanswhen the restrainingwall; is secure'd to the i wheel struc tureand screw shafts removablyandwadjustably connected withsaid restrainingfmeanssand with the wheelstructure externally of the hubjand ex tendln'glongitudinallyw'outwardly fro-mgihe restraining means toward the.outside ot the'wheel 19; In a wheel and axlestructure, the combina-rtlon with an" axle, Of -"a5 wheelstructureihavin'g a hub, a plurality ofrotary v anti-friction beaiings inside the wheel hub and encircling theaxle at one end, wearing and retaining means between the bearings andthe axle, wearing and retaining means between the bearings and the huband litting the hub loosely, a shoulder abutment on the axle inside thefirst-mentioned wearing and retaining means for limiting the inwardaxial movement of said means, removable and adjustable abutment means atthe outer end of the axle for limiting the outward axial movement of thefirstmentioned wearing and retaining means, and for retaining the rotarybearings in position for rotary motion between the first-mentioned andsecond-mentioned wearing and retaining means when thev wheel hub isremoved, a loose sealing wall encircling the axle at the inner end ofthe hub and in abutting relation with the inner end of thesecond-mentioned wearing and retaining means and secured removably andadjustably to the wheel structure by bolts extending to the outer sideof the wheel structure, and an abutment within the hub at its outer endand facing inwardly in abutting relation with the outer end of thesecondmentioned wearing and retaining means.

20. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle races for the antifriction bearings and mechanicallyseparated from each other for relative axial movement, an abutmentshoulder secured to the axle to 'restrain inward movement of one of theaxle races relative to the axle, abutment means adjustably andreleasably secured at the outer end of the axle in abutting relationwith the outer end of one of the axle races, concentric restrainingmeans encircling theaxle at the inner end of the hub and releasablysecured to the wheel structure, hub race means having race grooves forthe anti-friction bearings, an abutment within the wheel hub adjacentthe end of the'axle and directed toward the inner end of the wheel hubin abutting relation with an outer ,end of the hub race means, screwshafts adjustably pressing said concentric restraining means outwardlytoward the inner end of the hub race means-whereby the inwardmovement'of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited; saidshafts being re leasably and adjustably secured to the wheel structureseparate from-said hub-and extending outwardly from said restrainingmeans toward the outer side of said 'wli'eel istructure,

21. The combination with'va min'eicar axle, of a wheel structurehaving awheel hub' encircling the axle and having an' uprightasealing wall atits outer endintegral with saidl-hub,-at least two, sets ofanti-friction bearings: 'between' the :hub and axle, axlerace' meansfor? the anti-friction bearings, abutment' ;means? adjustably andreleasably secured 'at' the outer end: of the axle and in abuttingrelationl with' 'oiiter -ii'd'zoil-the axle race means,cohcerit'restrainingvrneans encircling theaxle at' the inner end ot the "hub inspaced relation 'with the?innerilendof' the hub and releasablysecured-te tile wheel :structurezhub race means 'for the ant-i frictionbearihgs,: ionly one of said race means-including aaspacingiipor tionseparating the two: sets-sotanti frictionflbear lugs and theothenracesm'eans having-separated 1-,.

race portions @for: floating 50f one of 1 said portions relative totheothenaan abutmentnrwithin. the wheel hub adjacentttheuendofz theaxle; and. directed toward thev endt-of'th twheel hub and in abuttingrelation with a portion of the hub race means, and means for adjustablypressing said concentric restraining means outwardly. toward the innerend of the hub race means, whereby the inward movement of said hub racemeans relative to the hub is limited, said pressing means beingreleasably and adjustablysecured to the wheel structure and at least apart of said pressing means being located externally of said wheel hub,and said pressing means being operable from the outer side of the wheelstructure and between the wheel axis and the tread of the wheel forreleasing and adjusting said restraining means.

22. The combination with a mine car axle, of a wheel structure having asolid wheel hub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wallat its outer end, at least two sets of antirriction bearings between thehub and axle, axle race means for the anti-friction bearings, abutmentmeans adjustably and releasably secured at the outer end of the axle andin abutting relation with an outer end of the axle race means,concentric restraining means encircling the axle at the inner end of thehub in spaced relation with the inner end of the hub and inner side ofthe wheel structure for adjustment axially relative thereto, andreleasably secured to the wheel structure, hub race means for theanti-friction bearings, only one of said race means including aspacingportion separating the two sets of antii'riction bearings and the otherrace means having separated race portions for floating or one 01' saidportions relative to the other, an abutment within the wheel hubadjacent the end the axle and directed toward the inner end of the wheelhub and in abutting relation with a portion 01 the hub race means, andmeans ioradjustably pressing saidconcentrlc restraining means outwardlytoward the inner end of the hub race means whereby the inward movementof said hub race means relative to the hub is limited, said pressingmeans being releasably and adjustably se-.- cured to the wheel structureand at least a part of said pressing means being located externally ofsaid wheel hub, and said pressing means being operable from theouter-side of the wheel structure and between the wheel axis and thetread of the wheel for releasing and adjusting said restraining means.

23. In a wheel and axle structure, a wheel having a hollow hubencircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outer end,two sets or anti-friction bearings between the. hub and P axle, axlerace means having tracks for the anti:

friction bearings, hub race means having tracks for the anti-frictionbearings, the two tracks '01 the hub race means being fixedly spacedapart axially by means located between said two tracks and the twotracks 01' the axle race means being arranged for axial adjustmentrelative to each other, abutment means adjustably and releasably securedto the axle and in abutting relation with an outer end of the axle racemeans, con-- centric restraining means encircling the axle at the innerend of the hub, an abutment within the wheel hub directed toward theinner end ofthe wheel hub and in abutting relation with the hub racemeans, and means for adjustably pressing said concentric restrainingmeans outwardly towardthe inner end of the hub race means where'- by theinward movement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited,said pressing means being releasably and adjustably secured to the wheelstructure and at least a part of said press-.

ing means being located externally of said wheel hub, and said pressingmeans being operable from the outer side of the wheel structure.

24. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle races for the anti-friction bearings mechanically separatedfrom each other for relative axial movement, an abutment shouldersecured to the axle to restrain inward movement of one of the axle racesrelative to the axle, abutment means adjustably and releasably securedat the outer end of the axle in abutting relation with the outer end ofone of the axle races, concentric restraining means, encircling the axleat the inner end or the hub, hub race means for the anti-frictionbearings, an abutment within the wheel hub adjacent the end of the axleand directed toward the inner end of the wheel hub in abutting relationwith an outer end 01' the hub race means, means for adjustablypressingsaid concentric restraining means outwardly toward the inner end of thehub race means whereby the inward movement of said hub race meansrelative to the hub is limited, said pressing means being releasably andadjustably secured to the wheel structure atleast in part. externally ofsaid hub and extending outwardly from said restraining means toward theouter side of said wheel structure.

25. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend integral with said hub, at least two sets of anti-friction bearingsbetween the hub and axle, axle race means for the anti-frictionbearings, abutment means adjustably and releasably secured at the outerend or the axle and in abutting relation with an outer end of the axlerace means, concentric restraining means encircling the axle at theinner end of the hub, hub race means for the anti-friction bearings, anabutment within the wheel hub adjacent the endo! the axle and directedtoward the inner end or the wheel hub and in abutting relation with anouter end 01' the hub .race means, screw shafts for adjustably pressingsaid concentric restraining means outwardly toward the inner end 01' thehub race means whereby the inward movement 01' said hub race meansrelative to the hub is limited, said shafts being releasably'andadiustably secured to the wheel structure at least in part externally ofsaid hub and extending outwardly from said restraining means toward theouter side of said wheel structure.

26. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a. wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, two annular rows of anti-friction bearings between the hub andaxle, axle-race means for the anti-friction bearings, abutment meansadjustably and releasably secured to the axle and in abutting relationwith an outer end oi! the axle race means, concentric restraining meansencircling the axle at the'inner end of the hub, hubrace means for theanti-friction bearings, an abutment within the wheel hub and directedtoward the inner end of the wheel hub and in abutting relation with anouter end of the hub race means, shafts for adjustably pressing saidconcentric restraining means outwardly toward" the inner end of the hub.race means whereby the inward movement of said hub race means relativeto the hub is limited, apertures in the wheel structure for recelvingsaid shafts and said apertures having a dimension along a radial axissubstantially greater than the thickness of the shafts through theradial plane of said axis for adjustment of the shafts radially for easyconnection of the shafts with the concentric restraining means, saidshafts being releasably and adjustably secured tothe wheel structure andextending outwardly from said restraining means through the saidapertures toward the outer side of said wheel structure.

27. The combination with an axle, of a wheel structure having a wheelhub encircling the axle and having an upright sealing wall at its outerend, at least two sets of anti-friction bearings r between the hub andaxle, axle race means for the anti-friction bearings, hub race means forthe anti-friction bearings, abutment means adjustably and releasablysecured to the axle and in abutting relation with an outer end of theaxle race means, concentric restraining means encircling the axle at theinner end of the hub and drawable axially of the hub without bodilyrotation relative thereto, said restraining means having a portionextending in position to have abutting relation with only hub race meansand being out of bearing engagement with the axle race means, only. oneof said race means including a spacing portion separating the two setsof antifriction bearings and the other other race means having separatedrace portions for floating of one of said portions relative to theother, an abutment within the Wheel hub directed toward the inner end ofthe wheel hub and in abutting relation with the hub race means, andmeans for adjustably pressing said concentric restraining meansoutwardly toward the inner end of the hub race means whereby the inwardmovement of said hub race means relative to the hub is limited, saidpressing means being releasably and adjustably secured to the wheelstructure and at least a part of said pressing means being locatedexternally of said Wheel hub and between the Wheel axis and the tread ofthe wheel, and said pressing means being in position for operation fromthe outer side of the wheel structure for releasing and adjusting saidrestraining means.

28. In a wheel and axle structure, the combination with an axle, of awheel structure having a wheel hub encircling the axle with asubstantially closed outer end, said wheel structure havan abutmentwithin the wheel hub directed toward the inner end of said hub and inabutting relation with the hub race means, abutment means adjustably andreleasably secured to the axle and in abutting relation with an outerend of the axle race means, concentric restraining means encircling theaxle at the inner end of the hub and drawable axially of the hub withoutbodily rotation relative thereto, said restraining means having aportion extending in position to have abutting relation with only hubrace means and being out of bearing engagement with the axle race means,pressing means having interengagement with the restraining means andpassing through the wheel structure between the wheel axis and the treadportion of the wheel and accessible from the outer face of the wheel forreleasing and adjusting said restraining means, and means for sealingthe inner edge portion of the concentric restraining means about theaxle.

HUGH W. SANFORD.

